Pacific leaders sign pacts on climate, security, fishing

NAURU — Pacific leaders meeting in Nauru signed a security agreement Wednesday that addresses climate change and crimes such as drug smuggling and illegal fishing that cross borders.

Leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum said they considered climate change their nations’ biggest security threat, since low-lying Pacific islands would cease to exist as sea levels rise.

The signing of the security declaration, which also addresses cyber-crime and health concerns such as communicable diseases and pandemics, is the centerpiece of the three-day meeting.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived Wednesday to attend an all-day leader’s retreat and the signing ceremony. Ardern, 38, in June became just the second elected world leader in modern times to give birth while holding office, after Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto gave birth to daughter Bakhtawar in 1990.

Earlier Wednesday, Pacific fishing and community groups signed an agreement with the European Union to improve sustainable fishing and ocean governance in the region. Under the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership, the EU will provide $41 million and Sweden will provide $12 million over five years.

Tensions over China and refugees have been running high at the forum after Nauru on Tuesday accused a Chinese official of bullying and temporarily detained a New Zealand journalist.

Nauru President Baron Waqa said a Chinese official had demanded to be heard when other leaders were due to speak, and had been “very insolent” about it.

“Maybe because he was from a big country he wanted to bully us,” Waqa said.

Nauru recognizes Taiwan and doesn’t have diplomatic relations with China.

Nauru police detained New Zealand journalist Barbara Dreaver for about three hours after she was spotted interviewing a refugee outside a restaurant. Nauru has been eager to limit discussion during the forum of the more than 600 refugees who live on the tiny island under a controversial agreement with Australia.